Batumi Boulevard
Batumi Boulevard
For a seaside city, what could be a more prominent landmark than its boulevard? Batumi Boulevard, the city's most frequented spot, serves as both a recreation area and a cultural heritage monument. It boasts a 7-kilometer coastal promenade, 4 historical alleys, and a bicycle path. More than 40,000 trees and plants of various species adorn the vicinity. Given its historical significance and consistent developmental cycle, Batumi Boulevard has come to symbolize the city, offering something for every visitor.
Batumi Boulevard is steeped in over a century's worth of history. Its construction, which started in 1881, was spearheaded by the military governor Smekalov. He initially enlisted the skills of a Prussian gardener, Ressler, for the creation of the seaside boulevard. Later, the project's continuation was entrusted to a French gardener-decorator, Michel d'Alphonse, who was invited to Georgia and often referred to in historical documents as the "kind genius of the Batumi coast". A bronze statue of D'Alphonse, commemorating his contributions, was erected in the boulevard in 2012. When visiting, you will likely notice a statue of a gardener sitting contentedly in front of a century-old eucalyptus tree, surveying the landscape.
Jason Gordesian, who was educated in France and appointed the manager of the city park, boulevard, and nursery in 1917, also made a significant contribution to the boulevard's development. Under his initiative and leadership, the city park and boulevard underwent substantial renovation until 1933. A monument in his honor was also installed in the boulevard in 2012.
Over the decades, Batumi Boulevard expanded and additional attractions were incorporated, yet the colonnade retained its significance. The project for the antique-style colonnades was brought from Italy in 1930 by Batumi doctor Ivane Mchedlidze with the assistance of Maxim Gorky. Constructed in 1934, as indicated by a mosaic inscription onsite, the ancient colonnade was initially regarded as the boulevard's primary gateway and quickly became one of its most distinctive and important landmarks.
Between 1948 and 1949, a unique wooden building, hosting performances and concerts, was erected on the boulevard. Sadly, it was destroyed by a fire in 1998. However, in 2013, a structure replicating the Batumi Summer Theater was reintroduced to the city, rejuvenating its cultural landscape.
In 1977, three vibrant fountains were installed at the main entrance of the boulevard, thanks to the joint efforts of prominent Georgian architect Giorgi Erkomaishvili and Armenian engineers. This area quickly became the boulevard's most bustling section. In 2007, the fountain underwent major reconstruction and is now a musical fountain, adding a rhythmic ambiance to the boulevard. The musical fountain, flanked by wax statues of the "Salamuriani boys," has become one of the most appealing attractions for tourists.
The unique lighthouse in Batumi Boulevard has been a beacon for ships entering the Black Sea for 155 years, making it the oldest structure in the area. Built in 1863, prior to the boulevard's establishment, the lighthouse was redesigned in 1882 under the guidance of French engineers, yet it has consistently maintained its original purpose and mission. Its luminosity extends 14 nautical miles (27 kilometers). Besides its centuries-old history, the lighthouse boasts a singular geographical placement; it is the only structure globally situated precisely at the intersection of the 41st parallel north and the 41st meridian east. The Batumi lighthouse building also accommodates a hydrographic service, where forecasters work round the clock, monitoring weather conditions. A spiral staircase allows access to the top of this 21-meter-high structure.
Since 2009, the area of Batumi Boulevard has substantially expanded with the construction of the so-called "New Boulevard", which adheres to modern design standards.
